Brussels, 25/01/2012 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission decided on Wednesday 25 January to investigate whether financial arrangements between public authorities and the airports of Niederrhein-Weeze, Altenburg-Nobitz (both in Germany), Pau (France) and Vasteras (Sweden), and also rebates and marketing agreements concluded between these airports and some of the airlines using them, are in line with EU state aid rules. The Commission has opened three separate in-depth investigations and extended the scope of a fourth investigation opened in November 2007 into contracts concluded with the Pau airport.
Airport Niederrhein-Weeze. Niederrhein-Weeze is a regional airport in North Rhine-Westphalia, near Duisburg. It has allegedly received over the last 10 years several loans or grants on terms that differ from market conditions. In addition, it is experiencing financial difficulties and “its operations appear to be dependent on public support”. The Commission, therefore, is doubtful that the public authorities acted in accordance with the market economy investor principle (MEIP) and that the airport could operate under market conditions.
Airport Altenburg-Nobitz. This is a regional airport in Thüringen. Between 2000 and 2009, it received several capital contributions from shareholders to cover its losses. The Commission has doubts that the MEIP has been respected. Moreover, it has concerns that contractual rebates or marketing arrangements concluded between the airport and the low-cost airline Ryanair could procure the latter an undue economic advantage over its competitors.
Airport Vasteras. This regional airport is located around 100 kilometres from Stockholm. It allegedly has received operating aid and several shareholder contributions to cover its losses since 2001. Moreover, the Commission has concerns that marketing and airport charge arrangements with Ryanair could procure an undue economic advantage to the latter that its competitors do not have.
Pau. Pau is a regional airport in Pyrénées-Atlantiques, France. In 2007, the Commission opened an in-depth investigation into contracts relating to the use of the Pau airport infrastructure and the provision of marketing services to promote the location. It has now extended the scope of this investigation to cover all contracts concluded by the airport with airlines between 2003 and 2011 as well as several infrastructure subsidies and other public measures granted in favour of the airport during this period. (OL/transl.rt)